Dreaming big at SXSWedu

I am totally psyched to be here in Austin, Texas, for South by Southwest Education (SXSWedu), a spinoff of the world-famous SXSW festivals of music, interactive, and film. I’m excited not only because it’s a chance to hear some great music and eat some unbelievable food. What really has me excited is the opportunity to promote computer science and information technology as a career option for young women.

SXSWedu will screen Big Dream, an inspiring film that tells the intimate stories of seven young women who are breaking barriers as they follow their passion in science, technology, engineering, and math—the acronymically named STEM fields. After the screening, I will be part of a panel discussion on the opportunities and challenges for girls who want to pursue STEM studies and careers. My fellow panelists are Kelly Cox, the director of the film, and Meredith Walker, the executive director of Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, an organization that encourages young people to “change the world by being yourself.” Moderating the panel is longtime STEM advocate Tricia Berry, director of the Women in Engineering program at the University of Texas at Austin.

SXSWedu fosters innovation in learning and brings together a community that’s passionate about changing education. What better place to deliver the message that computer science is creative, collaborative, impactful, and a great field for girls! I want to tap into the electrifying energy here and empower young women, showing them that they can help solve the world’s greatest problems by pursuing computing careers. I want them to understand that we need their talents in STEM.

How badly do we need their talents? Well, according to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, computing occupations rank among the fastest growing and highest paying jobs in the United States. The Bureau estimates that the number of computing jobs will grow by about 18 percent from 2012 to 2022. However, they also project that many of these positions will go unfilled, due to an insufficient number of college graduates with computing-related degrees. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013.)

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Screening sign-ups are temporarily on hold until November 1, 2015 as we transition to a more robust and accessible screening system. The good news is that you will be able to purchase DVD’s, Blu-Ray’s, and receive much more support for your screenings. Thanks again for all your support.